The Walrus and the Honey Bee

The Walrus and the Honey Bee

Steve Donohoe

Episodes 19
Avg. Duration 24m
Activity Dormant
Since Jan 2025
Latest Episode Sep 2025

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Hosting
feeds.simplecast.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

A friendly, informative space for both new and seasoned beekeepers, offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and an emphasis on responsible care for honey bees. Steve Donohoe is a bee farmer, author, and magazine editor based in Cheshire, UK. He works alongside his son, Alex.

Social Media

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

Non-Treatment Sanity Check

Sep 24, 2025 41m

Steve Donohoe gives a quick review of the beekeeping season, then plunges into the topic of non-treatment beekeeping, that is , not treating colonies for varroa mite infestation. He tries to…

Open Mating Queens

Jul 17, 2025 53m

Whether you are raising queen honey bees or just dealing with colonies that have swarmed or superceded, the success of the mating of the new queen is a matter of some importance. Steve Donohoe talks…

Walrus Wobbles (beekeeping blunders)

Jun 18, 2025 14m

Some of the many things that can and do go wrong when beekeeping, and what to do about them Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube Facebook

Beekeeping: Myth Busting

May 29, 2025 36m

Steve Donohoe discusses the beekeeping season so far, as well as some beekeeping myths, and ideas on intensive versus extensive farming methods. Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube Facebook

Beekeeping Twilight Zone

May 18, 2025 12m

Some strange and unexpected things can happen in beekeeping - here are some of them Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube Facebook

Swarming Hurts Your Honey Crop

May 04, 2025 11m

A little about how much honey you might lose if your bees swarm, and some ways to prevent swarming or reduce the honey lost. Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube Facebook

The Best Queen Cells

Apr 21, 2025 14m

Steve Donohoe walks through his method for making the best queen cells he has ever seen. It's the same method as used by Brother Adam, back in the day, and by Mike Palmer, and others. Bluesky Threads…

Varroa: Why Treat? by Kirsty Stainton

Apr 13, 2025 22m

A balanced and detailed look at the science surrounding the issue of non-treatment of honey bees, including a comparison between the two main approaches: selective breeding and using survivor stock. …

Beekeeping Essentials: The Critical Spring Period

Mar 25, 2025 15m

From Steve Donohoe's blog post of the same title, this covers all of the important beekeeping things that matter during the springtime. It covers feeding bees early on, then providing space, dealing…

Interview With Jolanta

Mar 10, 2025 21m

Taken from a chapter in Steve Donohoe's book, Interviews With Beekeepers, this covers a conversation between Steve, Jolanta, and Murray McGregor in 2017. Jolanta is the head of the queen rearing unit…

Beekeeping Essentials: Introducing Queens

Mar 01, 2025 17m

Imogen reads from Steve's blog post, in which sets out his latest learnings and understanding of this sometimes tricky subject. How to introduce a new queen into a colony that has lost it's own.…

Early Spring 25 Update

Feb 21, 2025 9m

As we move from winter into spring here in England, Steve Donohoe discusses over-wintering success, feeding colonies, and plans for once the season kicks off. Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube…

Room For All Types Of Beekeeper

Jan 27, 2025 17m

Intro00:25 New book by Dorian Pritchard on conservation of native bees01:10 Argument for conservation of native bees, legally protected areas should be created02:40 Is the black bee really the best…

Swarm Prevention Strategies

Jan 15, 2025 55m

Introincluding reference to Ian Steppler YouTube video just posted on varroa treatments, using Randy Oliver spreadsheet model. https://youtu.be/Z2FLoAq6LDc02:20 Recent apiary inspection of nucleus…

Latest Advice On Varroa

Jan 09, 2025 13m

00:30 Importance of both good queens and low mite levels01:40 How Steve's thinking on varroa treatment regimes evolved from 2 times per year to three.02:20 Alcohol wash on all colonies as per Randy…

Rapeseed Oil and Offshoring

Jan 06, 2025 9m

0:00 When oilseed rape (OSR) first arrived in the UK00:50 The UK has moved from being a net exporter to net imported of rapeseed oil, costing the UK economy £1 billion01:10 List of the main cooking…

Stress Testing Varroa Treatment Regimes

Jan 04, 2025 46m

Based on post of 19 November 2024 on thewalrusandthehoneybee.com01:30 The damage caused by varroa mites - leading cause of colony losses worldwide03:30 Learning to keep bees alive 04:00 Current trend…

Queen Rearing - Timings and Workflow

Jan 02, 2025 36m

Intro and reasons for not using an AI reader.01:30 Reasons for making queens02:35 Importance of being organised, knowing timings, mindset - sometimes things go wrong03:19 Breeder queens, Steve's…

How To Increase Honey Production: Three Factors That Matter Most

Jan 01, 2025 14m

Imogen reads from Steve's blog post of 1st September 202400:53 QueensThe importance of the queen in a honey bee colony cannot be overstated02:37 Gruff Rees reviewed "Healthy Bees, Heavy Hives" by…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Walrus and the Honey Bee have?

The Walrus and the Honey Bee has published 19 episodes since January 2025, covering topics in Education, Hobbies.

Is The Walrus and the Honey Bee still active?

The Walrus and the Honey Bee is currently dormant with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 24m.

How do I contact The Walrus and the Honey Bee for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Walrus and the Honey Bee, including email and social media links.

Similar Podcasts